Plush remote controlled toy vehicle

ABSTRACT

The subject matter relates to a remote controlled toy vehicle incorporating the use of soft plush materials for the outer body of toy vehicles and design specifications limiting and/or eliminating elements which may be hazardous to children, specifically young children.

FIELD OF THE SUBJECT MATTER

The present subject matter relates generally to a remote controlled toyvehicle and more particularly to a motor driven remote controlled toyvehicle incorporating a plush outer body.

BACKGROUND OF THE SUBJECT MATTER

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extentas if each individual publication or patent application was specificallyand individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Thefollowing description includes information that may be useful inunderstanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission thatany of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to thepresently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specificallyor implicitly referenced is prior art.

Remote controlled motor driven toy vehicles have always been verypopular amongst children. Such toys provide entertaining and excitingplay for a child in the form of having the child steer the vehiclethrough obstacles, traverse steep grades, and drive through roughterrain. In addition, the manipulation of a remote controlled vehicleutilizing a transmitter device develops the hand-eye coordination of achild, which is a favorable sensory development tool for youngerchildren. However, due to the cost of the production of radio controlledtoy vehicles and the dangers associated with sharp, plastic and/or metalelements utilized in the construction and design of the toy vehicles,existing radio controlled toy vehicles have been limited to childrenabove an appropriate age. In fact, by its nature and necessity ofdurability, existing radio controlled toy vehicles have been constructedof hard plastics and/or metals, rendering the current art inappropriatefor younger children.

However, as technology has advanced and the underlying cost ofelectronics and elements for construction of toy vehicles hasdiminished, the advent of creating remote control toy vehicles foryounger children has become more appropriate and economically desirable.Still, issues regarding the use of hard plastics and or metals in theconstruction of these remote control toy vehicles remains a bar for useby young children.

SUMMARY OF THE SUBJECT MATTER

The present subject matter discloses a remote controlled toy vehicleincorporating the use of soft plush materials for the outer body of toyvehicles and design specifications limiting and/or eliminating elementswhich may be hazardous to young children. Accordingly, safety concernsonce restricting remote controlled toy vehicles for play with youngerchildren, have herein been eclipsed by the present subject matter.

Combined with the reduction in production costs for remote controlledtoy vehicles, the novel use of plush materials to reduce or eliminatesafety hazards inherent in the prior art, makes the present subjectmatter a much welcomed and novel concept in the field of remotecontrolled toy vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It isintended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to beconsidered illustrative rather than restrictive.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the toy vehicle with the soft outer body andsoft filler removed, depicting the inner mechanisms;

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic for the power supply of the toy vehicle andtransmitter; and

FIG. 3 depicts a cut-away perspective view of the toy vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One skilled in the art will recognize many methods and materials similaror equivalent to those described herein, which could be used in thepractice of the present subject matter. Indeed, the present subjectmatter is in no way limited to the methods and materials described.

Referring now to the drawings in which like parts are designated by likereference characters throughout the several views. FIG. 1 shows oneembodiment of a radio control toy vehicle according to the subjectmatter, in which the toy vehicle 10 contains an electric driving motor12, a receiver 14 (which, in various embodiments, may be wireless), asteering mechanism 16, and a speed controller 22. Further, the toyvehicle 10 utilizes a power source 18 for driving the toy vehiclecomponents, all of which are fitted on an elongated tub chassis 20. Invarious embodiments, the chassis 20 may be substantially rectangular,conical-shaped, one-piece and/or plastic-molded. A chassis cover 36 (seeFIG. 3) is matted to the chassis 20 for encapsulating the speedcontroller 22, receiver 14, power source 18, electric driving motor 12,and steering mechanism 14, of the toy vehicle 10. A transmitter 34 (notshown, and which, in various embodiments, may be wireless) is used forcontrolling the toy vehicle 10 and accommodates an independent powersource.

Further to FIG. 1 the chassis 20 contains a rear axle 24 in rotatablecommunication with the chassis 20 wherein the rear axle 24 contains aspur gear 26 of an appropriate size and gearing. The electric drivingmotor 12 contains a pinion gear 28 at the end of the motor shaft,wherein the pinion gear 28 is matted to the spur gear 26 (collectively“the gear box”) and initiation of the electric driving motor 12 enactspropulsion of the rear axle 24. At the two distal ends of the rear axle24, rear wheels 30 are attached, and which, in various embodiments maybe constructed of soft rubber and/or plush material. The electricdriving motor 12 can be propelled in the clockwise or counterclockwiserotation, forcing the rear axle 24 to thrust the rear wheels 30 of thetoy vehicle 12 forward or backwards. Power provided to the electricdriving motor 12 is regulated by an electric speed controller 22. Thespeed controller 22 further acts as a conduit for supplying power fromthe power source 18 to the receiver 14, steering mechanism 16, andelectric driving motor 12. The speed controller 22, power source 18,electric driving motor 12, and steering mechanism 14 are all mounted tothe chassis 20 of the toy vehicle 10, and are in electroniccommunication with one another to enable electronic operation of the toyvehicle 10. The chassis 20 is matted to the chassis cover 36 (see FIG.3) which encapsulates the speed controller 22, receiver 14, gear box,power source 18, electric driving motor 12, and steering mechanism 14.

The steering mechanism 16 contains articulating joints 32 found at thetwo distal ends of the steering mechanism 16. The articulating joints 32allow for movement in a single vertical plane. Attached to each of thetwo articulating joints are front wheels 38, which, in variousembodiments may be constructed of soft rubber and/or plush material. Thesteering mechanism 16, through the articulating joints 32, enables thechange of direction in the front wheels 38 causing the toy vehicle 10 toturn. Power to the steering mechanism 16 is provided by the power source18, through the speed controller 22.

FIG. 2 shows a basic power circuit for the embodiment as shown in FIG.1, as the well as the transmitter 34, in which the motor 12, receiver14, steering mechanism 16, power source 18 and speed controller 22 restin the chassis 20 of the toy vehicle 10. The transmitting circuit 46 andassociated power source 44 comprise the wireless transmitter 34. Signalstransmitted from the transmitter 34 are received by the receiver 14, andsignaled to the speed controller 22. The speed controller 22 sends apower supply to the respective steering mechanism or motor, as directedby the transmitter 34. The power source 18 is directly connected to thespeed controller 22, which provides a common power source for a electricdriving motor 12, the steering mechanism 16, as well as for the receiver14.

FIG. 3 shows a cut-away view of the toy vehicle 10, depicting thechassis 20 containing the speed controller 22, power source 18, receiver14, gear box, electric driving motor 12, and steering mechanism 16. FIG.3 further depicts the soft filler 42 encapsulating the combined chassis20 and chassis cover 36 body. The plush fabric body 40 covers thechassis 20, chassis cover 36, and associated soft filler 42 to createthe plush exterior of the toy vehicle 10. The rear wheels 30 standattached to the rear axle 24, and the front wheels 38 are attachedthrough the articulating joints 32 to the steering mechanism 16.

In one embodiment of the toy vehicle, a battery may be used as the powersource for the radio control toy vehicle. Furthermore, the battery maybe provided with the recharging connector terminal (recharging jack), sothat a special recharging power source for the batteries is not requiredfor recharging the battery of the toy vehicle, resulting in convenientand economical operation.

In another embodiment of the toy vehicle, additional wheels andcomplementing axle(s) may be attached to the chassis to facilitate adifferent overall look to and/or operation of the toy vehicle.Additional wheels may be constructed of plush material and/or softrubber, and may be powered (like the rear wheels 30) and/or articulating(like the front wheels 38).

In yet another embodiment of the toy vehicle, the plush fabric body maycomprise interchangeable elements, such as but not limited to, a nose,ears, mouth and clothing, for attachment by an appropriate attachmentmeans, to the plush fabric body of the toy vehicle. Appropriateattachment means include, but are in no way limited to, Velcro®,magnets, pins and other means known now or devised later in the art.

In another embodiment of the toy vehicle, a front axle may be mounted inrotatable communication with the chassis wherein the front axle, incooperative operation with the steering mechanism 16 described in thepreferred embodiment, contains a front spur gear of an appropriate sizeand gearing. A front electric driving motor is mounted to the chassisand contains a front pinion gear at the end of the motor shaft, whereinthe front pinion gear is matted to the front spur gear (collectively“the front gear box”) and initiation of the front electric driving motorenacts propulsion of the front axle. At the two distal ends of the frontaxle, front wheels 38 are attached, and which, in various embodimentsmay be constructed of soft rubber and/or plush material. The frontelectric driving motor can be propelled in the clockwise orcounterclockwise rotation, forcing the front axle to thrust the frontwheels 38 of the toy vehicle 12 forward or backwards. Power provided tothe front electric driving motor originates from the power source 18,and is regulated by an electric speed controller 22.

In another embodiment, the toy vehicle contains audio circuitry intendedto produce various audio outputs in response to various inputs detectedby sensors (“sensory inputs”) and created by the user and/or theenvironment. The audio circuitry is mounted to the chassis of the toyvehicle and include components such as a speech processor, sensoryinputs, a processor for administration of various sensory inputs, aspeaker for generating audio outputs, and a speech chip for generatinghuman speech and sound effect output in response to various sensoryinputs. The various outputs may include spoken expressions correspondingto the various inputs detected by the sensors. The audio outputs aremade through a speaker which may be mounted in the toy vehicle chassis.The audio circuit and its components may be powered by the power source.Various sensory inputs include but are not limited to, audio sensors,light sensors, motion sensors, pressure transducers, push buttons andtouch sensors.

In another embodiment of the subject matter, communication between thereceiver and transmitter may be accomplished by radio frequency,infrared, laser light, acoustic energy, or other forms of energy know inthe art to transfer information without the use of wires.

In yet another embodiment of the toy vehicle, the plush fabric body maybe removable for cleaning. Furthermore, the plush fabric body may beconstructed of material capable of being drawn on by permanent ornon-permanent paint or ink.

Various embodiments of the subject matter are described above in theDetailed Description above. While these descriptions directly describethe above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the artmay, from time to time, conceive modifications and/or variations to thespecific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modificationsor variations that fall within the purview of this description areintended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, itis the intention of the inventors that the words and phrases in thespecification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaningsto those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). Furthermore, nolimitations are intended to the details of construction or design hereinshown other than as described in the claims below. It is, therefore,evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be alteredor modified and all such variations are considered within the scope andspirit of the subject matter. Accordingly, the protection sought hereinis as set forth in the claims below.

1. A remote controlled toy vehicle comprising: a chassis; a receiveraffixed to the chassis for receiving controlling instructions foroperation of the toy vehicle; a speed controller affixed to the chassis;a steering mechanism affixed to the chassis; a motor and gear boxaffixed to the chassis; a power source affixed to the chassis forproviding energy to the motor, the speed controller, the receiver andthe steering mechanism; a rear axle and wheel assembly supported forrotation by the chassis and in mechanical communication with the gearbox; a front axle and wheel assembly supported for rotation by thechassis and in mechanical communication with the steering mechanism; anda plush fabric body casing the chassis.
 2. The remote controlled toy ofclaim 1, further comprising a soft filler surrounding at least a portionof the chassis.
 3. The remote controlled toy of claim 1, furthercomprising a removable plush fabric body.
 4. The remote controlled toyof claim 1, wherein the plush fabric body is constructed of materialsuitable for application of paint or ink.
 5. The remote controlled toyof claim 1, further comprising an audio circuit for producing variousaudio outputs in response to various sensory inputs.
 6. The remotecontrolled toy of claim 1, wherein the power source is selected from thegroup consisting of non-rechargeable batteries and rechargeablebatteries.
 7. The remote controlled toy of claim 1, wherein the toyvehicle comprises a recharging terminal for recharging batteries.
 8. Theremote controlled toy of claim 1, wherein the toy vehicle comprises atleast two wheels.
 9. The remote controlled toy of claim 1, wherein thereceiver is a wireless receiver.
 10. The remote controlled toy of claim9, wherein the method of interface by the wireless receiver is selectedfrom the group consisting of radio frequency, infrared, laser light,acoustic energy, and electromagnetic waves.
 11. The remote controlledtoy of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter for sending controllinginstructions for operation of the toy vehicle to the receiver.
 12. Theremote controlled toy of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is a wirelesstransmitter.
 13. The remote controlled toy of claim 9, wherein themethod of interface by the wireless transmitter is selected from thegroup consisting of radio frequency, infrared, laser light, acousticenergy, and electromagnetic waves.
 14. The remote controlled toy ofclaim 1, further comprising a second electric drivable motor and secondgear box for movement of the chassis.
 15. The remote controlled toy ofclaim 1, further comprising an interface device port, such as auniversal serial bus port, for
 16. In combination, a remote controlledtoy vehicle comprising: a chassis, a receiver affixed to the chassis forreceiving controlling instructions for operation of the toy vehicle, aspeed controller affixed to the chassis, a steering mechanism affixed tothe chassis, a motor and gear box affixed to the chassis, a power sourceaffixed to the chassis for providing energy to the motor, the speedcontroller, the receiver and the steering mechanism, a rear axle andwheel assembly supported for rotation by the chassis and in mechanicalcommunication with the gear box, a front axle and wheel assemblysupported for rotation by the chassis and in mechanical communicationwith the steering mechanism, and a plush fabric body casing the chassis;and a transmitter to provide the controlling instructions for operationof the toy vehicle, comprising: a transmitting circuit, and a powersource.
 17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the receiver is awireless receiver and the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.
 18. Thecombination of claim 17, wherein the method of interface by the wirelessreceiver and wireless transmitter is selected from the group consistingof radio frequency, infrared, laser light, acoustic energy, andelectromagnetic waves.
 19. The combination of claim 16, furthercomprising an audio circuit for producing various audio outputs inresponse to various sensory inputs.
 20. A plush fabric body for a remotecontrolled toy vehicle, adapted to mechanically interact with a chassisof said remote controlled toy vehicle and configured to substantiallyobscure from view components of the toy vehicle selected from the groupconsisting of the chassis, a receiver affixed to the chassis, a speedcontroller affixed to the chassis, a steering mechanism affixed to thechassis, a motor and gear box affixed to the chassis, a power sourceaffixed to the chassis, a rear axle in mechanical communication with thechassis, a front axle in mechanical communication with the chassis, andcombinations thereof.